A Border Patrol Dog with the Holter Monitor Applied (IMAGE)

Burness

A Border Patrol Dog with the Holter Monitor Applied

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Meyers and fellow researchers at Texas A&M University worked with colleagues from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect and test blood samples from 1,660 working dogs in 43 states whose duties include border patrol, search and rescue, detecting drugs and explosives, and assisting officers who guard federal buildings. The testing -- which was prompted by evidence of Chagas in dogs working on the Mexican border -- revealed that 121 dogs, or more than 7 percent tested, had antibodies to T. cruzi, indicating an ongoing infection. Many of the infected dogs also showed signs of heart abnormalities associated with Chagas that can be fatal.

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(Credit - Chad Hale, Canine Supervisor)

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